Double cam driven feed roll

ABSTRACT

The present invention is adapted to be associated with a cutting and punching press and accordingly a pair of feed rolls including an upper idler feed roll and a lower driven feed roll is journalled respectively by an entering end frame section and by a stationary exit end frame section. The entering end frame section is pivotally movable to permit access to the die structure of the press and the constantly rotating shaft of the press is operatively connected by a flexible timing belt to driven pulleys and then through cam and follower devices to the lower feed rolls which are thus caused to rotate intermittently. A vernier type adjustable mounting is provided for the upper feed roll so that with the rolls in assembled relation different vernier openings in the assembled parts can be aligned and as a result the operative position of the upper feed roll with respect to the lower feed roll can be varied to accomodate lower feed rolls of larger or smaller diameter. Also the vernier adjustable mounting provides depending angled arms and air bags are associated therewith for yieldingly biasing the arms in a direction to force the upper feed roll into pressure contact with its lower feed roll. A connecting tube forming part of the vernier adjustable mounting is cammed by means on the upper reciprocating die of the press on each down stroke thereof to rock the tube and the upper feed roll to lift the same from contact with its lower feed roll whereby to momentarily free the material being fed while the press is operative for cutting and punching the material.

United States Patent 1 Wiig [ DOUBLE CAM DRIVEN FEED ROLL [75] Inventor: Chester M. Wiig, Lincolnwood, Ill.

[73] Assignee: F. J. Littell Machine Company,

Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: July 5,1972

21 Appl. No.: 269,019

[52] U.S. Cl 226/90, 226/115, 226/156, 226/177, 226/180 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 1/56 [58] Field of Search 226/176, 120, 156, 226/137, 138,139, 115,177,90, 180

[56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,638,846 2/l972 Wiig 226/142 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assistant Examiner-Gene A. Church AtmrneyRussell H. Clark [57] ABSTRACT The present invention is adapted to be associated with a cutting and punching press and accordingly a pair of feed rolls including an upper idler feed roll and a lower Aug. 28, 1973 driven feed roll is journalled respectively by an entering end frame section and by a stationary exit end frame section. The entering end frame section is pivotally movable to permit access to the die structure of the press and the constantly rotating shaft of the press is operatively connected by a flexible timing belt to driven pulleys and then through cam and follower devices to the lower feed rolls which are thus caused to rotate intermittently. A vernier type adjustable mounting is provided for the upper feed roll so that with the rolls in assembled relation different vernier openings in the assembled parts can be aligned and as a result the operative position of the upper feed roll with respect to the lower feed roll can be varied to accomodate lower feed rolls oflarger or smaller diameter. Also the vernier adjustable mounting provides depending angled arms and air bags are associated therewith for yieldingly biasing the arms in a direction to force the upper feed roll into pressure contact with its lower feed roll. A connecting tube forming part of the vernier adjustable mounting is cammed by means on the upper reciprocating die of the press on each down stroke thereof to rock the tube and the upper feed roll to lift the same from contact with its lower feed roll whereby to momentarily free the material being fed while the press is operative for cutting and punching the material.

17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures DIE 57/?06 TURF 0; PRESS Pat ented Aug. 28, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,705

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 H 1 l I 0/5 STRUCTURE I 0F Pea-:55 I

Patented Aug. 28, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet. 4

Patented Aug. 28, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Au 28, 1973 6 Sheets-Shet 6 STRUCTUR E (ON TIA/U005 SHE E 7' PLASTIC MATERIAL @6239 Q 9 H 000 Q I IN 1 E] DOUBLE CAM DRIVEN FEED ROLL The invention relates to apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material and has reference in particular to apparatus of this type having two pairs of feeding rolls, a pair being located on the entering end and also on the exit end of the cutting and punching press, with each pair including a lower roll and an upper roll normally having pressure contact with the lower roll and wherein the lower rolls are driven intermittently through cam mechanism from the press.

A basic objective of the invention resides in the provision of feed roll mechanism,cam driven intermittently,and located adjacent the respective ends of a cutting and punching press for intermittently feeding strip material such as polyethylene plastic material to said press and for similarly feeding the cut and punched material as it exits from the press, and wherein the pair of feeding rolls journalled by the entering end section of the apparatus can be pivotally moved with said end section as a unit to and from closed and open position to thereby provide convenient access to the die structure of the press.

A further objective of the invention is to provide feed roll devices each including a hob knurled,plastic filled lower driven roll and a plastic covered upper idler roll in combination with a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper idler roll whereby to permit use of lower feed rolls of different size in diameter while maintaining the desired pressure of the upper roll against the lower roll and also the same lifting and separating action of the upper roll on each operative stroke of the press.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide feed roll structure including a lower driven feed roll and an upper idling roll at the entering end section and also at the exit end section of a cutting and punching press, wherein the lower rolls are driven from the main,continuously rotating shaft of the press by a flexible timing belt having meshing relation with special pulleys on the input shafts of dual cam and follower devices respectively, and wherein a releasable coupling is interposed between each cam and follower device and the shaft of a driven feed roll to permit easy disconnection of the drive so that the lower feed rolls can be removed and replaced by feed rolls of a different diameter.

Another object is to provide feed roll devices as described for intermittently feeding plastic material in pre-determined lengths between the upper and lower dies of a press for cutting and punching operations thereon, and wherein a cleaning brush in combination with a vacuum chamber are'operatively associated with the hob knurled,plastic filled lower driven feed roll for continuously removing plastic dust from said roll,- whereby the roll is maintained in a clean condition which improves its feeding action by preventing any slippage of the roll with respect to the sheet of plastic material being fed thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of feeding rolls including an upper and a lower feeding roller disposed adjacent the entering end section and also the exit end section of a cutting and punching press, and wherein each pair of feeding rolls has associated therewith an adjustable stock support apron extending between the feed rolls and the confining rolls for directing the strip material to and from the operative die structure of the press.

With these and other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto;

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts;

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the driving side of the double, cam driven, intermittently rotated feed roll mechanism of the invention, the same showing the flexible timing belt drive from the press and the pulleys rotated thereby and also showing the vertically reciprocating camming members for effecting a lifting action of the upper feed rolls;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the feed roll mechanism shown in FIG. I, wherein the pivot structure for the entering end section of the double feed roll device is shown together with the releasable couplings in the drives to the lower feed rolls and also the lifting levers which when actuated produce the lifting action of the upper rolls;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, parts being shown in section, taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the timing belt drive of the present device, the'releasable couplings, the upper feed roll lifting structure and the pivot means for the entering end section of the feed roll device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing details of the vernier type of adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll and also showing the adjustable support for the stock deflector table and the cleaning brush for the lower feed roll;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail side elevational view showing the locking means for the pivoted and movable enterin end frame section of the feed roll device;

FIG. 7 is a detail front elevational view of the locking means shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing journalling details of the hob knurled, plastic filled lower feed roll;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are elevational views of the two brackets which provide the. vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing a section of plastic material such as can be fed intermittently by the present feed roll device and which further illustrates the character of the resulting product as produced by the cutting and punching operationd of the press.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11 it will be understood that the double,camdriven feed roll apparatus of the invention has been designed for association with a cutting and punching press 10 to which is fed a continuous sheet of plastic material 11 for cutting and punching operations thereon. The said feed roll apparatus includes a pair of feed rolls FIG. 2, at the entering end of the die structure of the press and a similar pair of feed rolls at the exit end of the die structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the die structure is adapted to cut and punch the sheet 11 of plastic material in a manner to produce a plurality of holders, FIG. 11, which when applied to cans will hold or contain six cans as a unit and which is generally re ferred to as a six pack. Each holder 12 provides six generally oblong openings 13 and a pair of finger openings 14. Each holder is stretched somewhat to facilitate the telescoping of the oblong openings with the cans,- which may contain beer or a soft drink,and when in applied relation therewith the six pack can be lifted or carried by the individual by using the finger openings 14.

The apparatus of the invention is designed to feed the plastic material 11 intermitently and in pre-determined lengths for which purpose a pair of co-acting feed rolls are employed with each pair being driven through cam and follower devices from the main operating shaft 16 of the press, FIGS. 1 and 2. The frame structure includes the bottom and top side frame members 17 and 18 on the driving side of the apparatus, the bottom plate 20 of the press to which frame member 18 is secured by the plates 21 and the base structure 22 having the legs 23. The cam and follower devices are housed in the boxes 24 and 25 which are located between the top and bottom side frame members 17 and 18 and suitable bolted and connected thereto by the supplemental frame pieces 26.

FIG. 2 shows the main operating shaft 16 of the press as extending through the top side frame member 17 to project beyond the same. To the said extending end of shaft 17 there is secured the driving pulley 28 by means of a key 30 interfitting in a keyway slot. The split ring member 31 is mounted on the shaft and connected to the pulley by the bolts 32. A pointer 33 is associated with shaft 16 so as to visually indicate the position of the shaft as regards the reciprocating stroke of the press. The pulley has a toothed periphery forintermeshing with the flexible timing belt 34 which passes over the pulley and serves to drive the lower roll of the feed roll mechanisms as will be presently described. From pulley 28 the timing belt 34 passes around the idler pulleys 35 and then around the driving pulley 36 and 37 and finally the belt passes over the middle and sdjustable idler pulley 38. The idler pulleys 35 are each journalled for rotation on a stud shaft 40, FIG. 3, fixed to the frame piece 27. The said pulleys are smooth surface since they contact the smooth side of the toothed timing belt. For the same reason the center and adjustable idler pulley 38 is smooth surfaced and the same is journalled by the stud shaft 41 carried by the movable and adjustable plate 42 suitably mounted in guideways for vertical adjustment. The adjustment can be effected by the threaded member 43 whereby slack can be taken up should any develop in the timing belt.

The driving pulleys 36 and 37 are each associated with cam and follower mechanism which is housed in the boxes 24 and 25 respectively and thus the drive is from the main shaft 16, to the timing belt 34, through the cam and follower mechanisms and then to the shafts 44 and 45 of the lower feed rolls 46 and 47, FIGS. 2 and 3. The pulleys 36 and 37 have a toothed periphery and each pulley is releasably secured by the bolts 48 to a face plate 50 keyed to its shaft such as 51 and 52. The face plate has an elongated opening for receiving each bolt 48 so that an adjustment can be made for the synchronous timing of each lower feed roll. Each shaft 51 and 52 may carry a pointer 53 which is used by the operator in timing the cam and follower mechanisms for the feed rolls since each feed roll 46 and 47 must rotate precisely for 270 as regards each revolution of the main driving shaft 16 and remain at rest for 90 while the main driving shaft completes its revolution. For a more complete understanding of the cam and follower devices such as are housed in the boxes 24 and 25, reference is made to the Wiig U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,846 granted Feb. 1, 1972. In regards the present structure as shown in the drawings, the input shafts 51 and 52 of the cam and follower devices each receives continuous rotation and intermittent rotation. as stated, is obtained at the output shafts namely 54 and 55, FIG. 2.

The above identified figure shows the double, camdriven feed roll apparatus in associated relation with a cutting and punching press such as 10 and wherein the cam and follower boxes 24 and 25 are also shown. FIG. 3 shows in greater detail the joumalling of the lower feed roll 46 and the co-action therewith of the upper roll 56 both of which are supported on the pivoted end frame section 58 at the entering end of the die structure. Since the entering end frame section 58 is pivotally supported at 60 for swinging movement and since the lower feed rolls must be removable to permit use of feed rolls of different diameters, the invention provides a releasable coupling between the exit shaft 54 of the box 24 and the joumalling shaft 44 for the lower feed roll 46. A similar releasable coupling is provided for the exit shaft 55 of box 25 and the shaft 45 of the lower feed roll 47, FIG. 8. Each coupling is designed to provide an easy disconnect and the same consists of flanged sleeves 61, one sleeve being fixed to the output shaft and the other sleeve being fixed to the shaft of the lower feed roll. A roller type insert 62 is interposed between the flanges and the same can be released and removed. The insert thus serves to releasably connect the sleeves and thus the shafts.

The lower feed rolls 46 and 47 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 are each journalled for rotation by the upright frame pieces 63. The shaft of the lower feed roll extends through the left hand frame piece where it is mounted by the ball bearing race 64. At the opposite end, the frame piece 63 provides the stud shaft 65 which carries the bearing 66 for joumalling this right hand end of the feed roll. it will be seen from the foregoing that the lower feed rolls 46 and 47 are driven in unison from the shaft 16 of the press and since the drive includes cam and follower mechanism, the rotation is intermittent. During the period while the rolls remain at rest, the sheet of plastic material 11 between the dies ofthe press is being cut and punched to produce the six-pack holders 12 as previously described. Each lower feed roll has a hob-knurled periphery 67 with the recesses being filled with a plastic material 68 such as urethane. Feed rolls of this character are described and claimed in the co-pending application of Edward Poczatek, Ser. No. 194,846 Filed Nov. 2, l97l, now abandoned and entitled Hob Knurl Rubberized Roll. The hobbed projections 67 forming the metal supporting surface for the lower feed rolls 46 and 47 are approximately square in outline and the projections are angled at about 45 to the longitudinal axis of the roll. The plastic material which fills the interstices is preferably polyurethane.

The upper feed roll 56 has co-acting relation with lower feed roll 46, both of which are supported and journalled on the pivoted entering end frame section 58 of the apparatus. In a similar manner the upper feed roll 57 has co-acting relation with lower feed roll 47 and which are both supported and journalled by the stationary exit end frame section 59 of the apparatus, FIG. 2. Both feed rolls 56 and 57 are adapted to be lifted out of contact with their respective lower feed roll at the start of the rest period and separation is maintained until the end of the rest period when the rolls close on the material and feeding of the material is again resumed. This lifting of the upper feed rolls which are not positively driven has a two fold function. It is necessary as stated to lift the upper rolls to free the plastic material during the rest period and while the press is operative in cutting and punching the material. By freeing the material, the same can lock up with the die structure of the press for a more accurate and precise cutting and punching operation. Secondly it is desirable that the feed rolls be lifted to facilitate the initial threading or insertion of the strip material between the entrance rolls, then between the top and bottom parts of the die structure and finally between the rolls of the exit pair. In accordance with the invention the upper feed rolls 56 and 57 are each mounted for lifting movement by means of a vernier type adjustable mounting unit best shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10. The frame parts 70 extend vertically and bracket members 71 and 72 are employed adjacent each frame part, that is, the structure is duplicated at each end of the upper feed rolls. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a split bearing integral with the frame part contains a stud shaft 73 which is held in the bearing by tightening the screw 74. A ball bearing race 75 is mounted on the inside projecting end of the stud shaft 73 and said bearing race functions to journal both parts 71 and 72 of the vernier type adjustable mounting unit.

The inside bracket part 71 shown in FIG. includes the face plate 76 which has the angled depending arm 77 welded or formed integral therewith. The cylinder or tube 78 is also an integral part with the face plate 76, one such plate being located on each end of the tube. Midway of the length of the connecting tubular part 78, the same provides the lever 80 which is also welded thereto or integral therewith. The face plates 76 each have threaded openings 81 and a plurality of vernier openings 82.

The outside bracket part 72 of the vernier type mounting unit is journalled on bearing 75 and said part in the form of a short arm provides a clamp 83 for the shaft 84 of the upper feed roll, FIGS. 4 and 9. The short arm bracket part 72 is also formed with a pair of arcuate oblong slots 85 and a plurality of vernier openings 86. In assembling the vernier type mounting for the upper feed rolls, the parts 72 are placed over parts 71 respectively and each pair of bracket parts are joined by the securing screws 87 which pass through the oblong openings 85 in part 72 and have threaded relation in the openings 81 in part 71, FIG. 4. In fitting the two parts, one over the other, one of the vernier openings in part 72 is aligned with a vernier opening in part 71. The vernier openings are so spaced on each part that when certain openings are aligned a retaining pin 88, FIG. 5, can then be inserted to retain the parts in desired assembled relation and the screws 87 are tightened. In operation, the position and action of the combined unit, including the tube 78 and parts 71, does not change. However the position of the arm parts 72 on the combined unit can be changed and thus the upper feed rolls can be lowered or elevated with respect to their lower feed roll, whereby to accommodate lower feed rolls of different diameters in order to adapt the feed roll apparatus to the feeding of strip material intermittently in various lengths. The upper feed roll 56 is journalled for free rotation with its shaft 84 by the bearings 90 at respective ends and the same structure is repeated for the upper feed roll 57.

It will be observed that the lever 80 is integral with the tube or cylinder part 78 FIG. 2, and any camming of said lever will rock the tube and oscillate the combination unit so as to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its respective lower feed roll. As previously mentioned, this is desirable action in order to free the strip material during the period the rolls are at rest and while the dies are operative. The automatic camming of the levers 80 for the upper rolls 56 and 57 is effected by the reciprocating upper die of the press in its down stroke. A bracket 91, FIGS. 1 and 2, is fixed to each end of the upper die at about the center thereof and a camming member 92 is suitably fixed thereto so as to depend and have camming action with a roller 93 on the lever 80. The brackets 91 and the camming members 92 thus reciprocate with the upper die of the press, and a' down stroke just immediately in advance of a cutting and op eration, the camming members 92 come into contact with the rollers 93 and the upper feed rolls are lifted from the pressure contact which they normally have with their driving feed roll. The lifting action is held to a minimum and probably does not exceed twenty thousands of an inch.

For precise and accurate feeding actions it is necessary to apply pressure on the upper feed rolls to maintain contact with the strip material passing between the rolls. This is particularly required when feeding plastic material which may have smooth andslippery surfaces. Pressure is applied to the upper feed rolls by the use of air bags 94, 95 and 96 which have an operative association with the angled depending arms 77, FIGS. 1 and 3, of each upper feed roll. One arm such as the right hand arm, FIG. 3, has bags 95 and 96 disposed on respective sides of said arm 77. The left hand arm has only the air bag 94 in contact therewith above the arm. Thus the air bags 94 and 95 when inflated urge the arms in a direction to force the upper roll 56 against its lower roll 46 with several hundred pounds pressure. When the upper roll is lifted by the camming members 92, the air bags 94 and 95 are compressed andfor this purpose a surge tank 97 is provided. Similar air bags are provided for the co-acting feed rolls 57 and 47 and they operate in the same manner.

To facilitate the threading of the plastic strip material through the entering rolls and between the dies and then through the exit rolls, it is desirable that the upper rolls be lifted and held in a raised off-contact relation during the threading operation. This requires that the air bags 94 and 95 be exhausted or vented, whereupon the single air bag 96 for each structure is rendered op erative to lift its respective feed roll. When the pressure bags 94 and 95 are ,vented, the single air bag 96 is all that is required to lift the upper feed roll structure and hold the same lifted until air under pressure is again admitted to the bags 94 and 95.

As previously mentioned, the present double camdriven roll feeding apparatus has been designed for feeding plastic material, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the material moves from right to left passing under the transverse bar 98 and over the transverse bar 100. The web of plastic material then passes between feeding rolls 46 and 56 and is subjected to the bight of said rolls. From the feeding rolls, the stock is directed by the stock deflector table 101 to the guide rolls 102 and 103. The said guide rolls are not positively driven and the web of material passes between the rolls to be presented thereby to the die structure of the press.

The frame of the present apparatus as shown in FIG. 4, includes the horizontal wall member 104 which supports the frame part and the vertical walls 105 and 106. The bracket 107 is bolted to vertical wall 106 by the bolts 108 and said bracket in turn supports the entrance table 110 having the adjustable stock guides 111. The stock guides are connected by the transverse bars 98 and 100. Wall 105 has the bracket 112 suitably fixed thereto and the said bracket includes a split ring portion which holds the clamp pin 113 in adjusted position vertically, the ring portion being controlled by the bolt 114. The clamp pin as shown in FIG. 5 provides the stud shafts 115 for journalling the guide rolls 102 and 103.

The stock deflector table 101 is integral with solid side portions 116 which have a pivotal relation on the stud shaft 115 of the lower guide roll 103. By means of a threaded nut having the knurled head 117, which is threaded through the part 116 to rest on the bracket 112, it is possible to elevate or lower the stock deflector table to align the free end of the table with the bight of the feed rolls 46 and 56. When the table has been adjusted as desired, its position is releaseably fixed by the wing nut 118. This adjustable pivotal mounting for the stock deflector table 101 is desirable since the location of the feed roll bight will vary depending on the diameter of the lower feed roll such as may be employed at the time. I

Continuous feeding of plastic material such as polyethylene and other plastics and particularly intermit tent feeding, has the tendency to dirty the lower feed rolls which are driving instrumentalities for the plastic material. For precise and accurate feeding it is necessary to have clean driving rolls and for this purpose the invention provides a roller brush 120, FIGS. 4 and 5, which is maintained in pressure contact with the surface of roll 46. A similar roller brush is employed for the driving roll 47. Each roller brush has a shaft 121 which is journalled at its ends in the levers 122 pivotally supported at 123. By means of a pin 124 fixed to the lever 122 adjacent its pivoted end, a coil 125 spring is connected between the pin and an anchoring bracket 126. The tension produced by the coil spring 125 serves to bias the levers 122 and resiliently maintain the roller brush in contact with its respective lower roll.

Material in the form of small plastic particles and plastic dust which is removed from the power rolls 46 and 47 by their respective roller brush, is sucked into a vacuum chamber 128 formed by the frame walls including 104, 130 and 131, FIG. 4. Openings 132 in wall 104 serve as communicating passages between the roller brush and the vacuum chamber.

The entering end section 58 of the present roll feed apparatus is pivoted at 60 for swinging movement to and from the cutting and punching press 10. When the press needs attention, the section 58 can be swung away from the same to thus provide convenient access to the die structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the stationary frame section 59 has surrounding relation with the press on three sides with the frame members 17 and 18 completing the fourth side. The adapter plates 133 form a part of this encircling frame structure and the pivot 60 serves to connect the movable pivoted end section to the stationary end section. When the pivoted end section is in closed relation as regards the press and the stationary end section, the said pivoted section can be releasably locked by the eccentric locking device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This ability to swing the sec tion 58 away from the press for access to the die structure is made possible by the releasable coupling means 61 and 62.

The frame element 134 having the depending lip 135 is part of the movable end section 58. The part 136 and stop plate 137 are provided by the stationary end section 59. When the depending lip 135 is in contact with the stop plate 137, the movable end section 58 is in fully closed position. The frame elements 134 are spaced and the same journal the eccentric 138 which has the studs 140 projecting from each end thereof in eccentric relation thereto. The locking handle 141 is suitably fixed to the eccentric 138 so as to depend down between the frame elements 134. A locking lever 142 has connected relation with each stud 140 and thus the levers are spaced being located on each side of the elements 134. The levers depend below the part 136 of frame section 59 and the levers at this depending end are joined by the locking pin 143. When the pin 143 is in part 136, occupying the semi-circular recess 144, the locking handle 141 can be moved to locate the studs 140 in their highest position. This locks the movable section 58 to the stationary section 59. When the operator desires to release the movable section, the handle 141 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction FIG. 6, and the studs will be oscillated to a low position thus releasing the locking pin 143 from the recess 144.

What is claimed is:

1. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, frame structure including a stationary exit end frame section and a movable entering end frame section having pivotal securement to the said stationary exit end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft andnormally in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a drive pulley on said shaft for rotation therewith, a pair of driven pulleys fixed to journalled input shafts respectively, a timing belt operatively connecting the drive pulley with said driven pulleys whereby the journalled input shafts are also rotated constantly, a cam and follower device in associated relation with each input shaft for transforming the constant rotation of the input shafts into intermittent rotation and which is delivered to output shafts respectively, and a connector device interposed between each output shaft and one of the shafts joumalling the lower feed rolls, said connector devices being releasable to thereby permit disconnection of the lower feed rolls from their respective output shafts so that the entering end frame section can have pivotal movement with respect to the stationary exit end section.

2. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectionable particles, and resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.

3. ln roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectionable particles, resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, and a vacuum chamber provided by each frame section and having communicating relation with the roller brush thereof, whereby the dust and objectionable particles removed by the roller brush from its lower feed roll is further removed to the vacuum chamber.

4. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, frame structure including a stationary exit end section and a movable entering end frame section having pivotal securement to the said stationary exit end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft and normally in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a drive pulley on said shaft for rotation therewith, a pair of driven pulleys fixed to journalled input shafts respectively, a timing belt operatively connecting the drive pulley with said driven pulleys whereby the journalled input shafts are also rotated constantly, a cam and follower device in operative associated relation with each input shaft for transforming the constant rotation of the input shafts into intermittent rotation and which is delivered to output shafts respectively, means connecting each output shaft with one of the shafts journalling the lower feed rolls, whereby the lower feed rolls have intermittent rotation, a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectionable particles, and resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.

5. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 4, additionally including a vacuum chamber provided by each frame section and having communicating relation with .the roller brush thereof, whereby the dust and objectionable particles removed by the roller brush from its lower feed roll is further removed to the vacuum chamber.

6. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 4, additionally including a stock deflector table for each frame section for supporting and directing the strip material either to or from the bight of its respective pair of feed rolls, the free end of said table being located relatively adjacent the feed rolls, means pivotally supporting the opposite end of the table, and an adjustment member having threaded relation with the table relatively adjacent its pivotal supporting means whereby the said free end of the table can be adjusted vertically for alignment with the bight of the feed rolls.

7. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 6, additionally including vertically adjustable clamp pins for in turn supporting the pivotal supporting means for the opposite end of the table, and upper and lower guide rolls journalled by the said adjustable clamp pins.

8. in roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, a frame structure including a stationary exit end frame section and a movable entering end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft and normally having co-acting relation with its lower feed roll, means having operative connection with the shaft for the lower feed roll for intermittently rotating the lower feed roll, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a lever member positioned at each end of the upper feed roll and to the free ends of which the journalling shaft for the upper feed roll is secured, and a connecting tube joining the lever members to form a unit therewith and which is supported for pivotal movement so that oscillation of the connecting tube to produce rocking of the lever members will elevate and lower the said upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll.

9. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 8, additionally including an angled arm fixed to and depending from each lever member, and air bags in associated relation with the depending end of said arms and which contain a fluid medium under pressure, whereby the arms are yieldingly biased to rock the connecting tube unit in a direction holding the upper feed roll in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.

10. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 9, additionally including a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof and adapted to be cammed at pre-determined times for oscillating the connecting tube against the pressure of the air bags to lift the upper feed rollfrom contact with its lower feed roll.

11. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 10, additionally including a surge tank in communicating relation with the said air bags. r

12. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 8, wherein the lever members each have releasable securement to the connecting tube at their respective end and which is of the vernier adjustable type so that the adjusted position of the upper feed roll can be varied to accommodate a lower feed roll of a different diameter.

13. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination with a cutting and punching press having a top reciprocating die and a stationary bottom die, of frame structure in associated relation with the entering end of cutting and punching press and similar frame structure in associated relation with the exit end of said press, each frame structure including upper and lower co-acting feed rolls each journalled for rotation by its particular shaft, said upper feed roll normally having pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a connecting tube journalled for pivotal movement and having an inside bracket part integral therewith at each end of the tube, a plurality of vernier openings in each said bracket part, an outside bracket part also having a plurality of vernier openings therein and which is positioned adjacent each of the inside bracket parts with certain vernier openings in alignment for receiving a retaining screw, whereby to join the bracket parts and the tube as a unit, said outside bracket parts providing lever arms respectively for the connecting tube and which carry the journalling shaft for upper feed what their free ends, whereby oscillation of the connecting tube will rock the lever arms to elevate and lower the upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll, a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof, and camming means carried by the top reciprocating die and which is operative on the down stroke thereof to cam the said lever in a direction to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its lower feed roll.

14. In roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein the assembled position of the outside bracket parts on the inside bracket parts and thus their assembled position with respect to the connecting tube can be varied by aligning different vernier openings in the parts respectively and then securing and retaining the parts in such adjusted assembled relation by the retaining screw.

15. In roll feeding apparatus, in combination with frame structure, of a pair of feed rolls journalled thereby and including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a connecting tube mounted for pivotal movement and having an inside bracket part integral at each end of the tube, a plurality of vernier openings in each inside bracket part, an outside bracket part also having a plurality of vernier openings therein and which is positioned adjacent each of the inside bracket parts with certain vernier openings in alignment for receiving a retaining screw, whereby the connecting tube and bracket parts are joined as a unit, said outside bracket parts providing lever arms respectively for the connecting tube and which carry the shaft for the upper feed roll at their free ends, whereby oscillation of the connecting tube will rock the lever arms to elevate and lower the upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll.

16. in roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein the assembled position of the outside bracket parts on the inside bracket parts and thus their assembled position with respect to the connecting tube can be varied by aligning different vernier openings in the parts respectively and then securing and retaining the parts in such adjusted assembled relation by the retaining screw.

17. In roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 15, additionally including a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof and which is adapted to be cammed at predetermined times for oscillating the tube in a direction to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its lower feed roll. 

1. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, frame structure including a stationary exit end frame section and a movable entering end frame section having pivotal securement to the said stationary exit end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft and normally in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a drive pulley on said shaft for rotation therewith, a pair of driven pulleys fixed to journalled input shafts respectively, a timing belt operatively connecting the drive pulley with said driven pulleys whereby the journalled input shafts are also rotated constantly, a cam and follower device in associated relation with each input shaft for transforming the constant rotation of the input shafts into intermittent rotation and which is delivered to output shafts respectively, and a connector device interposed between each output shaft and one of the shafts journalling the lower feed rolls, said connector devices being releasable to thereby permit disconnection of the lower feed rolls from their respective output shafts so that the entering end frame section can have pivotal movement with respect to the stationary exit end section.
 2. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectionable particles, and resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.
 3. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectionable particles, resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, and a vacuum chamber provided by each frame section and having communicating relation with the roller brush thereof, whereby the dust and objectionable particles removed by the roller brush from its lower feed roll is further removed to the vacuum chamber.
 4. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, frame structure including a stationary exit end section and a movable entering end frame section having pivotal securement to the said stationary exit end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft and normally in pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a drive pulley on said shaft for rotation therewith, a pair of driven pulleys fixed to journalled input shafts respectively, a timing belt operatively connecting the drive pulley with said driven pulleys whereby the journalled input shafts are also rotated constantly, a cam and follower device in operative associated relation with each input shaft for transforming the constant rotation of the input shafts into intermittent rotation and which is delivered to output shafts respectively, means connecting each output shaft with one of the shafts journalling the lower feed rolls, whereby the lower feed rolls have intermittent rotation, a roller brush for each lower feed roll to keep the roll clean and free of dust and objectioNable particles, and resilient spring means for maintaining the roller brush in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.
 5. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 4, additionally including a vacuum chamber provided by each frame section and having communicating relation with the roller brush thereof, whereby the dust and objectionable particles removed by the roller brush from its lower feed roll is further removed to the vacuum chamber.
 6. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 4, additionally including a stock deflector table for each frame section for supporting and directing the strip material either to or from the bight of its respective pair of feed rolls, the free end of said table being located relatively adjacent the feed rolls, means pivotally supporting the opposite end of the table, and an adjustment member having threaded relation with the table relatively adjacent its pivotal supporting means whereby the said free end of the table can be adjusted vertically for alignment with the bight of the feed rolls.
 7. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 6, additionally including vertically adjustable clamp pins for in turn supporting the pivotal supporting means for the opposite end of the table, and upper and lower guide rolls journalled by the said adjustable clamp pins.
 8. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination, a frame structure including a stationary exit end frame section and a movable entering end frame section, a pair of feed rolls journalled for rotation by each frame section including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft and normally having co-acting relation with its lower feed roll, means having operative connection with the shaft for the lower feed roll for intermittently rotating the lower feed roll, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a lever member positioned at each end of the upper feed roll and to the free ends of which the journalling shaft for the upper feed roll is secured, and a connecting tube joining the lever members to form a unit therewith and which is supported for pivotal movement so that oscillation of the connecting tube to produce rocking of the lever members will elevate and lower the said upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll.
 9. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 8, additionally including an angled arm fixed to and depending from each lever member, and air bags in associated relation with the depending end of said arms and which contain a fluid medium under pressure, whereby the arms are yieldingly biased to rock the connecting tube unit in a direction holding the upper feed roll in pressure contact with its lower feed roll.
 10. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 9, additionally including a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof and adapted to be cammed at pre-determined times for oscillating the connecting tube against the pressure of the air bags to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its lower feed roll.
 11. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 10, additionally including a surge tank in communicating relation with the said air bags.
 12. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material as defined by claim 8, wherein the lever members each have releasable securement to the connecting tube at their respective end and which is of the vernier adjustable type so that the adjusted position of the upper feed roll can be varied to accommodate a lower feed roll of a different diameter.
 13. In roll feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding strip material, in combination with a cutting and pUnching press having a top reciprocating die and a stationary bottom die, of frame structure in associated relation with the entering end of cutting and punching press and similar frame structure in associated relation with the exit end of said press, each frame structure including upper and lower co-acting feed rolls each journalled for rotation by its particular shaft, said upper feed roll normally having pressure contact with its lower feed roll, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a connecting tube journalled for pivotal movement and having an inside bracket part integral therewith at each end of the tube, a plurality of vernier openings in each said bracket part, an outside bracket part also having a plurality of vernier openings therein and which is positioned adjacent each of the inside bracket parts with certain vernier openings in alignment for receiving a retaining screw, whereby to join the bracket parts and the tube as a unit, said outside bracket parts providing lever arms respectively for the connecting tube and which carry the journalling shaft for upper feed roll at their free ends, whereby oscillation of the connecting tube will rock the lever arms to elevate and lower the upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll, a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof, and camming means carried by the top reciprocating die and which is operative on the down stroke thereof to cam the said lever in a direction to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its lower feed roll.
 14. In roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein the assembled position of the outside bracket parts on the inside bracket parts and thus their assembled position with respect to the connecting tube can be varied by aligning different vernier openings in the parts respectively and then securing and retaining the parts in such adjusted assembled relation by the retaining screw.
 15. In roll feeding apparatus, in combination with frame structure, of a pair of feed rolls journalled thereby and including a lower feed roll journalled by its particular shaft and an upper feed roll also journalled by its particular shaft, a vernier type adjustable mounting for the upper feed roll including a connecting tube mounted for pivotal movement and having an inside bracket part integral at each end of the tube, a plurality of vernier openings in each inside bracket part, an outside bracket part also having a plurality of vernier openings therein and which is positioned adjacent each of the inside bracket parts with certain vernier openings in alignment for receiving a retaining screw, whereby the connecting tube and bracket parts are joined as a unit, said outside bracket parts providing lever arms respectively for the connecting tube and which carry the shaft for the upper feed roll at their free ends, whereby oscillation of the connecting tube will rock the lever arms to elevate and lower the upper feed roll with respect to its lower feed roll.
 16. In roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein the assembled position of the outside bracket parts on the inside bracket parts and thus their assembled position with respect to the connecting tube can be varied by aligning different vernier openings in the parts respectively and then securing and retaining the parts in such adjusted assembled relation by the retaining screw.
 17. In roll feeding apparatus as defined by claim 15, additionally including a lever fixed to the connecting tube approximately centrally thereof and which is adapted to be cammed at predetermined times for oscillating the tube in a direction to lift the upper feed roll from contact with its lower feed roll. 